Will ILO MLC deliver as promised?
- ILO Maritime Labour Convention (MLC), the so called "ILO Super Convention" is expected to enter into force on August the 20th as the 4th pillar of Maritime Regulatory Compliance along with SOLAS, MARPOL, STCW. As the clock is ticking towards the deadline let's see if the MLC will deliver the promised land by examining some key issues involved: Myths about MLC MLC Will NOT necessarily provide for Seafarer rights as long as every "Shipowner" may select a flag that does not ratify MLC. Since MLC certificate is NOT a trading certificate, there is nothing that can change that. Many industy insiders speculate that MLC will certainly improve the situation onboard. This may be the case for the owner/manager of ICEBERG 1 (the vessel abandoned for 3 years to Somali Pirates) and the like; but for first class operators (especially in the Cruise, Tanker, LNG, Container industry) there are minor issues to be addressed ! If someone sticks to the regulatory nature of MLC, he has to also ask himself: Has SOLAS or MARPOL or STCW introduction improved the shipping industry? The answer is definitely NOT! All these regulations exist for many years; we are currently running 100 years...
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